- The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote, responding to nationwide anti-paper leak protests.
- The legislation was prompted by a nationwide agitation against the alleged NEET paper leak led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
- The movement reached a flashpoint on July 20 when police stopped protesters marching towards Parliament, leading to allegations of excessive force.
- The 36-day agitation ended after the government accepted several key demands of the protesters, including the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
- The Bill seeks to establish fast-track courts in every state to exclusively try paper leak cases and mandates investigations be completed within two months.
- Punishments for offenders include imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh for individuals found guilty of leaking examination papers.
- Organised paper leak syndicates could face penalties of up to Rs 10 crore.
- Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns during the protest.
The Lok Sabha's passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 marks a significant legislative response to the ongoing nationwide protests against paper leaks, particularly the NEET controversy. The Bill aims to establish fast-track courts in every state to expedite the trial of paper leak cases, with investigations mandated to be completed within two months.15
The legislation enhances penalties for offenders, introducing imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines reaching Rs 50 lakh for individuals guilty of leaking examination papers. Organised syndicates could face even harsher penalties, with fines up to Rs 10 crore.67
This legislative action follows a massive agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which began on June 20 at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The protests intensified after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined an indefinite fast on June 28, culminating in a flashpoint on July 20 when police clashed with demonstrators attempting to march towards Parliament. Allegations of excessive force, including the use of pellet guns, were made, although Delhi Police denied these claims.238
The 36-day protest concluded after the government agreed to several key demands, including the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, reflecting the growing public discontent over examination integrity and accountability.4
“The Bill establishes fast-track courts in every state to exclusively try paper leak cases, mandating investigations be completed within two months. It also significantly enhances punishments, with offenders facing up to 10 years in prison and fines up to ₹50 lakh, while organized syndicates could incur penalties of up to ₹10 crore.”
